Rookie forward Wade Megan was thrilled to be making his pro debut, while goaltender Brian Foster was happy just to be playing, period.

Their 1-2 punch — Megan's first pro goal and Foster's 39 saves — powered the Rampage to a 4-1 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins on Thursday night in front of 5,290 fans at the AT&T Center, keeping their fading playoff hopes alive.

“It's pretty incredible,” said Megan, who only last weekend was still playing college hockey at Boston University. The Rampage signed him to an amateur tryout contract (ATO) on Wednesday.

“The guys made me feel comfortable as soon as I got here,” he said. “I just tried to play a simple game tonight.”

Megan's goal came at 9:13 of the first period and gave the Rampage a 1-0 lead. Jon Rheault added two goals for the Rampage, who were outshot 40-16 but made the most of their chances.

They were able to win despite the discrepancy in shots because of Foster, who was making his first start in a Rampage uniform since Nov. 23, 2011.

The 26-year-old goaltender allowed only a second-period goal by former Rampage forward Jeff Hogan in stymieing the Midwest Division-leading Griffins.

Included were saves on two breakaways and a penalty shot by Griffins right wing Mitch Callahan.

“I've been looking forward to this for a year,” said Foster, who had appeared in one game this season for the Rampage in a relief role (he played 32 games for their ECHL affiliate in Cincinnati). “The team played well in front of me tonight. I knew I was going to get my chance, I just had to stay patient.”

Rampage coach Chuck Weber said Rheault's second-period goal on the power play that gave the Rampage a 3-1 was a big key.

“We've got to do a do a better job in getting our shot totals up,” he said. “But I thought we managed the game well.”

The victory enabled the Rampage to pull to within eight points of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. They play back-to-back games in Charlotte on Friday and Saturday.